Bishop Rachel’s response to the General Election

Published: Friday June 9, 2017

Bishop RachelThis week the services in the Cathedral for our Year 6 school leavers focused on the theme of ‘Holding Firm.’ Each child was given a holding cross as we prayed for them to hold fast to God and to know that the love of God who is in the business of change, holds firm and is unchanging. I was reminded of that as I awoke to the general election results this morning.

Yet again we have been surprised at the outcome of people casting votes. The general election was intended to bring clarity and stability but instead we are again listening to commentators and politicians speaking of confusion and uncertainty. As I listened to the news of a country once more rocked by the sea of politics, I found myself thinking of those who today will be tossed about in inadequate vessels on rough seas as they go in search of certainty and security. I also found myself remembering scenes not only in Manchester and London, but here in Gloucester too, of people coming together and expressing love and a desire for unity. The strong rhetoric has been about not being divided and of love winning. As Christians living in diverse communities in an ever-shifting political landscape, amidst the joys and pains of our world, we need to reflect deeply on what all this means for us as we seek to discover and share life in all its fullness as offered us in Christ. The words of the collect for Pentecost are unsurprisingly pertinent:

God, who as at this time
taught the hearts of your faithful people
by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit:
grant us by the same Spirit
to have a right judgement in all things
and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort;
through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen

2 thoughts on “Bishop Rachel’s response to the General Election

  1. Your lordship,
    Rt Revd Rachel.
    You are very much correct.
    We pray that God will give people the spirit of understanding to understand.
    Furthermore, I wish to write to you if I can have your email address.
    Thanks.
    Yours sincerely
    Revd canon Emmanuel K. Nwankwo, Jp.

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